Hot weather apparel question

[Don R Brown]

I've played outdoors plenty of times. It's always been in a somewhat relaxed group of musicians. Looks like I may be playing a few dates with an established band whose leader wants black jeans, black hat (both of which I have) - and black a western-motif shirt. I now have 3 of those.

As luck would have it, my first date with them would be this weekend, afternoon gig - and they are calling for 90+ degrees. Yes there's a roof but it's still going to be toasty.

Question is am I better off wearing a T-shirt under the polyester/cotton western shirt or not. T-shirt would soak up some sweat, but would add another layer to MAKE me sweat. Or just go with the dress shirt only, roll up the sleeves, and deal with it?

Thanks!

[Richard Sinkler]

My favorite brand is Nudit Tee. I never wear a tee shirt under my western shirts, and always short sleeve. Don't like the snaps at the wrist catching on my C6 strings.

[Dennis Detweiler]

I have two outside jobs coming up this month. I'm wearing a western straw hat, long sleeve shirt and blue jeans. I have to wear long sleeves because of cholesterol meds. However, I have a 6 inch fan that clips onto the leg of my guitar and blowing directly on me.

[Rich Ertelt]

Vornado

[Dave Grafe]

This is my world all summer long, every weekend has been high 80's F and several shows in the 90's. I drive to and set up the stage with a T-shirt, then if it's a casual show I switch to a fresh T or Hawaiian shirt depending on the expected heat factor. If it's a fancy shirt thing I go with a light western shirt, no T-shirt, roll the sleeves up to the elbows and unbutton the collar an extra snap or few for maximum airflow. AND I bring a towel and a couple of small fans, aways placed away from the pickup end of my guitar to avoid interference.

Physics dictates that an undershirt traps the sweat against your body and yields very little cooling action, whereas a single layer of fabric wicks the moisture away, allowing it to evaporate and cool you down. Black is hotter but hides the perspiration better. Science is your friend in these challenging times.

[Bobby D. Jones]

T-shirts or long sleeves made of polypropylene, Evaporate sweat very quickly, As the sweat evaporates it takes heat with it, To help keep you cool.

[Per Berner]

Why are shirts made of polyester at all? I don't care if it's cheap, hard-wearing and doesn't wrinkle. It's just a dreadful material. I always buy 100 % cotton, or, once in a very blue moon, something made from cellulose fibers, which feels nice but is a bit delicate and wears out quickly..

Many times I have looked for a western shirt, but never found anything but polyester. Last year, I bought an unusually nice long-sleeve sweat shirt in black, all cotton of course. Lovely, cool, comfy. So I got another one of the very same brand, but in a bright color for a change. Immediately, I felt that something was off – yeah, all but the black ones turned out to be 60% polyester, apparently easier to dye. Never use it, and I can detect the dreaded material even if it's just 20% of the mix. Polyester should be banned from clothes...

Back to the OP's question: An added layer in the form of a cotton T-shirt under the western shirt will only make you feel even more suffocated. So don't.

[Dave Mudgett]

What I generally wear for summer gigs when I wanna cowboy it up - https://elycattleman.com/collections/re ... 4906705983 - no t-shirt for sure, and make sure it's not tight. I loosen up everything I can. These particular shirts are fairly lightweight and breathe pretty well - they are 35% cotton, 65% polyester because 100% cotton shirts wrinkle like hell and would not look the part of a Western shirt. I have some much fancier and, technically, better Western shirts. But they are heavyweight and hot most anytime between June and September.



I need to finally get a short-sleeve black Western shirt - gigs in July and August have been getting fairly oppressive (OK, not like Texas and other places further south, but up here, 90s is hot). I have some light blue denim ones, but for black, this looks like the ticket - https://elycattleman.com/collections/cl ... 4962444351

[Dennis Detweiler]

eehh, just play naked and use a big fan to blow things around.

[Don R Brown]

eehh, just play naked and use a big fan to blow things around.

That would NOT go over well!

Thanks guys, NO T-shirt for sure. I did ask at the local western store but they didn't have anything short-sleeve. That Ely Cattleman brand is what I got the long-sleeve in, will have to go to their web site and see what the choices are for the short.

[Dave Grafe]

eehh, just play naked and use a big fan to blow things around.

No shorts allowed for the pedal guitar player, long pants only!

[Richard Sinkler]

eehh, just play naked and use a big fan to blow things around.

That would NOT go over well!

Thanks guys, NO T-shirt for sure. I did ask at the local western store but they didn't have anything short-sleeve. That Ely Cattleman brand is what I got the long-sleeve in, will have to go to their web site and see what the choices are for the short.

Sheplers and Boot Barn are two I use to buy shirts.

[Don R Brown]

Sheplers and Boot Barn are two I use to buy shirts.

Thanks Richard! Got one of those not too far away altho I have never been there. Iill have to check it out sometime.

We do have a family-owned independent store in the area which I have bought from in the past. Good folks!.

[Ricky Davis]

I live in TEXAS and here is my best apparel I've been wearing for the last 35 years>

yellow-stanley-blower-fans-655704-64_1000.jpg

Ricky

[Don R Brown]

Ricky, is that battery operated or corded? I do have an unobtrusive fan from HD, think it's 7" and plugs into my power strip. It, or something like yours, is a "must have".

[Donny Hinson]

Rockmount Ranch Wear has tons of Western cotton dress shirts, all made in the U.S.A.
(Not cheap, though!)

https://rockmount.com/collections/mens- ... %25+Cotton

[Ricky Davis]

Ricky, is that battery operated or corded?

Hey Don; all my different fans are corded.
Ricky

[Don R Brown]

Thanks Ricky. I have a ton of various power tools all with interchangeable batteries. Altho a corded one might have a slightly lower chance of walking away.

[Dave Magram]

I just saw this topic, so this suggestion will be too late for Don.

Natural silk can absorb up to 30% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp, so a silk undershirt might be very helpful in hot weather..

Here's the brand that I am using:
LingDooo Men's Silk Shirt Soft Breathable Sport T-Shirt Underwear
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CGN65G5?re ... th=1&psc=1

They cost about $25.

Caveat: If you don't like man-made fibers for this purpose, do not buy any undershirts made of so-called "Ice Silk", which is a mix of polyester and rayon--but no natural silk.

- Dave

[Greg Vincent]

Science is your friend in these challenging times.

Ah yes… remember science?

[Don R Brown]

All went well yesterday guys, thanks to all for the input. A nice breeze for most of the afternoon was a big help. Still pretty oppressive when that died down about the time we were done but by then I didn't care.

2025-08-10 Erie Cty Fair temp.jpeg

[Lee Baucum]

For our practically year-round South Texas heat, I have 10 loose-fitting Hawaiian shirts hanging in my closet!

[Michael Hartz]

I use 2 of these in hot weather situations, they will part your hair at 15 yrds for sure. They have made it bearable even in 115 degree heat. They even have a retractable luggage style handle to wheel them around. Again, these are extremely powerful, meant to dry out wet floors.

75D0D1B7-0E83-4CEF-A0C1-BEEA8AEC9940.jpeg

[Tim Harr]

I live in TEXAS and here is my best apparel I've been wearing for the last 35 years>
yellow-stanley-blower-fans-655704-64_1000.jpg
Ricky

This is my favorite piece of gear!! I use one identical. In the summer time, I don’t ever leave home without it. It sits on the floor next to my VP and blows on me the entire gig. Makes playing outside in the heat completely bearable 90% of the time.

IMG_1537.jpeg

[Scott Spanbauer]

Definitely have given up on hats in the summer. Too hot.